Russell Young

Russell Young (1959) studied at Chester Art College, where he specialized in photography, film, and graphic design. Young began his career by photographing punk bands performing in England. His photography was well received, ultimately leading to assignments for magazines and record labels. In the late 1980s, he traveled to America, where he photographed pop stars such as Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross. In the 1990s, he decided to exchange photography for painting. He is primarily known for his large silkscreen paintings inspired by icons from recent history and pop culture. The artist is fascinated by the mystery surrounding the "American Dream," which he often personifies as glamorous Hollywood stars. He transforms these cultural icons through his unique silkscreen process, vibrant colors, and a finish of sparkling diamond dust. Sometimes the portrayed figures appear enlarged and grainy, as if they belong to an old newspaper article. This often results in a fantastic glorification of the stars, but at the same time, he also presents the tragic side of their lives: the beauty that made them famous will fade, and they will forever lose their innocence and anonymity. Icons such as Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Brigitte Bardot, Elvis Presley, Kate Moss, and Muhammad Ali are just a few of the central figures in his comprehensive body of work. Ironically, Young’s celebrity portraiture belongs to the numerous collections of contemporary pop stars themselves, including the Kardashians, Elon Musk, Brad Pitt, and Drake. His work is represented in galleries and museums worldwide and has achieved impressive auction results at renowned auction houses such as Sotheby’s, Christie’s, and Phillips.